Portable microscope with detachable portion

ABSTRACT

A portable microscope comprising a detachable portion comprising an eye piece, an objective lens, a light source, and an optical filter, and a base portion comprising a stage for placement of a specimen to be examined, wherein the detachable portion and the base portion are adapted to be connected to each other and disconnected from each other by a user of the microscope.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/622,133, filed Oct. 26, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to portable microscopes, and, more particularly,to portable fluorescence microscopes that can be broken down intosmaller components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fluorescent light is used by investigators to analyze the properties ofmany substances, including cells. In particular, for example, a cell ofinterest can be injected with a fluorescent dye and examined under afluorescence microscope, which bathes the cell in fluorescent light,whereupon certain structures in or on the cell “fluoresce” or react byemitting visible light that can be observed by an investigator. Thisallows the investigator, for example, to track the flow of certainmolecular structures through the cell.

Conventional fluorescence microscopes tend to be large and expensive,however. Therefore, despite the tremendous utility of fluorescencemicroscopes, the availability of these microscopes to those who mightbenefit from their use is generally limited. Even when they areavailable, these microscopes often have to be shared among multipleinvestigators. Therefore, a need remains for fluorescence microscopesthat are portable and less expensive.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a portable microscope comprising adetachable portion comprising an eye piece, an objective lens, a lightsource, and an optical filter, and a base portion comprising a stage forplacement of a specimen to be examined, wherein the detachable portionand the base portion are adapted to be connected to each other anddisconnected from each other by a user of the microscope.

The present invention also provides a portable microscope comprising adetachable portion comprising a generally tubular first housing having atop end and a bottom end, an eye piece disposed at the top end, anobjective lens disposed at the bottom end, a light source attached tothe generally tubular first housing, and an optical filter disposedbetween the objective lens and the light unit, and a base portioncomprising a stage for placement of a specimen to be examined, whereinthe detachable portion and the base portion are adapted to be connectedto each other and disconnected from each other by a user of themicroscope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting a microscope configured according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting the detachable portion of the microscopeof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting the base portion, as well as the mountingmember and the optical filter of the detachable portion of themicroscope of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram depicting an alternate embodiment of the detachableportion of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting the light unit and light path tube of thedetachable portion of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a diagram depicting a microscope configured according to analternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram depicting a microscope configured according to analternate embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a portable microscopewith a detachable portion. Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of themicroscope is shown. The microscope, generally labeled 2, includes adetachable portion 4 and a base portion 6. The detachable portion 4,shown in FIG. 2, includes a generally tubular first housing 16 having anupper end 8 and a lower end 10. Coupled to the lower end 10 on the outersurface of the first housing 16 is a mounting member or ring 28. Agenerally tubular second housing 30 is coupled to the inner surface ofthe first housing 16 at the lower end 10 of the first housing 16.Secured within the second housing 30 is an objective lens of themicroscope 2. A first hand grip 24 and a second hand grip 26 areattached to the outer surface of the first housing 16.

The detachable portion 4 also includes a generally tubular third housing14 disposed within and coupled to the inner surface of the first housing16. The third housing 14 has an upper end 15 and a lower end 17. Afilter cube 22 having a dichroic mirror or excitation filter is disposedwithin and/or coupled to (e.g., is situated or positioned atop amounting shelf (illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5)) within the third housing14 near its lower end 17. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the filter cube 22has a first facet 32, a second facet 34, a third facet 36, and anemission or barrier filter. The detachable portion 4 illustrated in FIG.2 also comprises an eye piece 12 having a direct, in-line configurationthat is disposed partially within, and coupled to the upper end 15 ofthe third housing 14, e.g., such that the lower end of the eye piece 12is in proximity to the upper end of the filter cube 22. Thisconfiguration enables direct in-line examination of a specimen.Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the eye piece 12 can be angledin configuration. Moreover, as discussed below with respect to FIG. 6,the eye piece 12 can be rotatable, thereby allowing a user of themicroscope to rotate, swivel, or reposition the eye piece 12 to adesired orientation prior to or during use of the microscope. Moreover,as discussed below with respect to FIG. 7, the eye piece 12 can befitted with an adapter to allow it to be attached to a still image orvideo camera, thereby allowing photos or videos of the specimen to betaken. The detachable portion, in this regard, can comprise two or moreadaptors for attachment of two or more eye pieces to the detachableportion. In particular, for example, the detachable portion can comprisean adaptor for attachment of a still image or video camera, in additionto an adaptor for attachment of a direct, in-line eye piece or anangular (e.g., angular swiveling) eye piece, so that, for example, auser can position a specimen and focus on it, and then capture an imageof the specimen on film, without having to first substitute the eyepiece for a camera. In one embodiment, for example, a single threaded,Y-shaped adaptor that is connected or attached to the upper end 8 of thedetachable portion 4 and which comprises a first portal for attachmentof a direct, in-line or angular eye piece, and a second portal forattachment of a still image or video camera.

The detachable portion 4 also comprises a light unit 18. As illustratedin FIG. 2, the light unit can comprise a housing 19, a light source 20(such as a fluorescent light source, e.g., an ultraviolet LED), and abattery or power supply (not illustrated in FIG. 2) that provides powerto the light source 20. The housing 19 of the light unit 18, in thisembodiment, can have a generally circular opening that receives one endof a light path tube 21, wherein the other end of the light path tube 21is coupled to the first housing 16 and the second housing 14. The lightunit 19 can be coupled to the light path tube 21 in a variety of ways soas to make it easily removable. For example, the light unit 19 can bethreadingly engaged, lock-fit, attached with a pin, attached withmounting brackets, seat-fit, or snap-fit to the lower end of the lightpath tube 21. In another embodiment, the housing 18 of the light unit 19has a removable lid, and a removable light source 20. Thus, instead ofchanging the entire light unit 19, the investigator could just open thelid and change the light source 20. In another embodiment of theinvention, the light unit 19 is removable from the detachable portion 4and replaceable with a light source of any wavelength. A user of themicroscope, for example, can change, substitute, or replace the lightunit with a light source of any other wavelength (e.g., fluorescentwavelength), thereby allowing for a full range of fluorescence assays,e.g., utilizing any suitable fluorescent probe or dye. In particular,for example, the light unit can be a source of any suitable wavelength,such as, for example, a wavelength of 380 nm, 395 nm, 470 nm, 518 nm,590 nm, or 640 nm. It is understood by those of skill in the art, inthis regard, that the user must utilize a light source of a wavelengththat corresponds to the particular optical filter and the particularfluorescent probe or dye being utilized. It is even suitable, forexample, for an investigator to have a variety of light sources (forexample, each with its own housing), so that when the investigatorwishes to change the light source, he or she simply removes the lightunit 19 and replaces it with another light unit that contains a lightsource of the desired wavelength.

The detachable portion 4 also comprises an optical filter. The opticalfilter, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, can be in the form of a filter cube22, which comprises a dichroic mirror or excitation filter, an emissionor barrier filter, a first facet 32, a second facet 34, and a thirdfacet 36. The filter cube 22 can be threadingly engaged, lock-fit,attached with a pin, attached with mounting brackets, seat-fit orsnap-fit into place, such as, for example, atop a mounting shelf (asillustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5). Alternatively, the optical filter can bein the form of a filter wheel comprising a plurality of filter regionsfor different wavelengths disposed thereon, which a user can selectivelyutilize, e.g., through manipulation of the orientation of the filterwheel, e.g., that is disposed between the light source 20 and theopening of the light unit housing 19. Moreover, the optical filter canbe in the form of a slider component, e.g., in the form of rectangularinserts comprising a plurality (e.g., a row) of filter regions fordifferent wavelengths disposed thereon, which a user can selectivelyutilize, e.g., through manipulation of the placement or orientation ofthe slider component. In this regard, the optical filter can beremovable from the detachable portion 4 and replaceable with an opticalfilter for any wavelength. Moreover, accessibility to the optical filtercan be increased, such that a user can more easily remove or replace theoptical filter through utilization of an eye piece 12 that is removable,as discussed above. In this manner, for example, a user of themicroscope can first remove the eye piece 12 of the microscope, and thenchange, substitute, or replace the optical filter with an optical filterfor any other wavelength (e.g., fluorescent wavelength), therebyallowing for a full range of fluorescent assays, e.g., utilizing anyfluorescent probes or dyes.

FIG. 3 illustrates the base portion 6 of the microscope 2, inoperational association with the mounting member or ring 28 and thefilter cube 22 of the detachable portion 4 of FIG. 2. The base portion 6includes a stand base 52, an upright support member 42 attached to thestand base 52, and a support arm 40. The support arm 40 is attached tothe upright support member 42 at one end. On the other end of thesupport arm 40 is an attachment member 38. The attachment member 38provides a surface on which the mounting member or ring 28 of thedetachable portion 4 of the microscope 2 can be attached. The attachmentmember 38 and the mounting member 28, in this regard, can comprise anysuitable corresponding or coordinating structures, which enableconnecting and disconnecting of the attachment member 38 and themounting member 28 to each other by a user of the microscope 2 in such amanner that the user can construct and deconstruct the microscope 2repeatedly with relative ease (i.e., with minimal effort or complexity,such as, for example, through the manipulation of a single releaseelement or through the disengaging of a single threaded element) andwith a minimal amount of wear and tear. In particular, for example, themounting ring 28 can comprise a hole or depression that is configured soas to allow the mounting ring 28 to engage securely the attachmentmember 38.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the microscope is portable,meaning that the detachable portion and/or the base portion of themicroscope are capable of being manually carried or moved by a userwithout assistance by other users or by mechanical means. The detachableportion and/or the base portion of the microscope can even bepocket-sized or can fit within a protective sleeve or case that can becarried with ease by a user. In particular, for example, the detachableportion can be as small as about 5-15 (e.g., 7.5) inches tall, with atubular diameter of about 1-3 (e.g., 1.75) inches, and a weight ofapproximately 20 ounces or less (e.g., 12 ounces). Moreover, the lightunit and light path tube can be approximately 2-10 (e.g., 6) inches inlength The base portion, for example, be approximately 3-12 (e.g., 5.5)inches in height, approximately 3-12 (e.g., 4.75) inches in width, andapproximately 3-20 (e.g., 7.5) inches in length, with a weight ofapproximately 20 ounces or less (e.g., 16 ounces). The base portion 4,in this regard, can have a small footprint (e.g., 6×6 inches), whichallows the microscope 2 to be mounted on a bench or in a hood. Theportability of the microscope facilitates use by multiple users and/orfor multiple purposes (such as, for example, field use, teachinglaboratories and the like) without restriction to location. Inparticular, for example, an investigator who wishes to examine multiplespecimens at multiple different examining stations can remove ordisconnect the detachable portion 4 of the microscope 2 from the baseportion 6, place the detachable portion into a protective sleeve, case,and/or his/her pocket, for example, and move to a destinationexamination station. Once at the destination, the investigator can takethe detachable portion out of the protective sleeve, case, and/orhis/her pocket, for example, attach the detachable portion to adifferent base portion, turn on the light unit of the detachableportion, and view a specimen at the destination examination station.This is very convenient for an investigator who needs to have afluorescence microscope readily available, and, for example, only needsto know whether a specimen fluoresces or not. This is of particularadvantage to tissue culture applications, since the researcher would nothave to remove cultures from the hood, which reduces the potential forairborne contamination of the cultures. This embodiment also saves time,in that it eliminates the need to transport the cultures to a standard,large-size fluorescence microscope which, itself, requires significanttime to start up.

As further illustrated in FIG. 3, the upright support member 42 of themicroscope 2 also comprises a stage control 44, which includes a knob, ashaft that is attached to the knob and that extends through a hole inthe upright support member, and a gear that is attached to the shaft andis located on the other side of the upright support member 42 as theknob. A stage 46 is slidably attached to the upright support member 42,and has a set of teeth that engage the gear of the stage control 44, sothat when a user rotates the knob of the stage control 44, the gearcauses the stage 46 to move up or down along the upright support member42. The stage 46 has a generally circular opening 48 for placement of aspecimen. A condenser 50 is attached to the stand base 52 underneath theopening 48 of the stage 46. The condenser 50 is optional, and allows forbright light to be transmitted in view of the specimen.

In an embodiment of the invention, the second housing 30 is removableand replaceable, thereby allowing an investigator to change easilyobjective lenses and thereby permit a wide range of fluorescence assays.Thus, the investigator can have a variety of objective lenses (forexample, wherein each lens has its own housing), so that when theinvestigator wishes to change the objective lens, he or she simplyremoves the second housing 30 and replaces it with another housing thatcontains the desired objective lens. Accordingly, the lower end 10 ofthe first housing 16 is configured to fit standard objective housings.The second housing 30 can be coupled to the first housing 16 in avariety of ways so as to make it easily removable. For example, thesecond housing 30 can be engaged by threads, lock-fit, attached with apin, attached with mounting brackets, seat-fit, or snap-fit to the lowerend 10 of the first housing 16.

The base portion 6 and the detachable portion 4 (e.g., the housings ofthe detachable portion) can be constructed of any suitable material. Inparticular, for example, the base portion 6 and the detachable portion 4can be made of polycarbonate material, resulting in a construction thatis inexpensive, lightweight, durable, and heat-resistant.

Referring to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of the detachable portionis shown. The detachable portion, generally labeled 64, includes agenerally tubular first housing 76 having an upper end 68 and a lowerend 70. Coupled to the lower end 70 on the outer surface of the firsthousing 76 is a mounting ring 88. A generally tubular second housing 90is threadingly engaged to the inner surface of the first housing 76 at athreaded portion 106 at the lower end 70 of the first housing 76.Secured within the second housing 90 is an objective lens of themicroscope (not illustrated in the figure). The second housing 90 andits constituent parts, in this regard, can be referred to as the“objective.” A tube lens 110 can be disposed near the lower end 70 ofthe first housing 76, in order to increase the amount of light thatenters the second housing 90. A first hand grip 84 and a second handgrip 86 are attached to the outer surface of the first housing 76.

The detachable portion 64 also comprises any suitable optical filter, asdiscussed above. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the filtercube 82 is disposed within and/or coupled to the first housing 76 nearits lower end 70, and is situated or positioned atop a mounting shelf105. As shown in the lower left corner of FIG. 4, and as discussedabove, the filter cube 82 comprises a dichroic mirror or excitationfilter, an emission or barrier filter, a first facet 92, a second facet94, and a third facet 96. Arrows are included in the figure to depictthe path of light passing through the filter cube.

The detachable portion 64 also comprises an eye piece 72 having adirect, in-line configuration that is disposed partially within, andcoupled to the upper end 68 of the first housing 76. In particular, forexample, the eye piece 72 can be threadingly engaged to a threadedportion 100 or 102 of the first housing 76. Moreover, as discussed belowwith respect to FIG. 6, the eye piece 72 can be angular in configurationand can be rotatable, thereby allowing a user of the microscope torotate, swivel, or reposition the eye piece 72 to a desired orientationprior to or during use of the microscope. Moreover, as discussed belowwith respect to FIG. 7, the eye piece 72 can be fitted with an adapterto allow it to be attached to a still image or video camera, therebyallowing photos or videos of the specimen to be taken. In oneembodiment, as discussed above, for example, a single threaded, Y-shapedadaptor that is connected or attached to the upper end 8 of thedetachable portion 4 and which comprises a first portal for attachmentof a direct, in-line or angular eye piece, and a second portal forattachment of a still image or video camera.

The detachable portion 64 can also include a light unit 78 having ahousing 79, a light source 80 (such as a fluorescent light source, e.g.,an ultraviolet LED), and a battery or power supply 120 that providespower to the light source 80. The housing 79 of the light unit 78 has agenerally circular opening that receives one end of a light path tube81, to which the housing 79 can be threadingly engaged at threadedportion 109, wherein the other end of the light path tube 81 isthreadingly engaged to the first housing 76 at a threaded portion 108.The light unit 78, light path tube 81 and filter cube 82, along withtheir constituent components, are also referred to collectively as a“vertical fluorescence illuminator.” Moreover, as illustrated in FIGS.4-5, the light unit 78 also includes a ventilator 130, a mirror 122disposed between the power supply or battery 120 and the light source80, and a collector lens 132 disposed between the light source 80 andthe light path tube 81. The light path tube 81 has openings 134 that canaccommodate an optional filter slider component, as discussed above. Thefilter slider is used in conjunction with the filter cube 82 to detectmultiple fluorophores. Disposed within the light path tube 81 are afield diaphragm 116, a field lens 118, a condenser aperture 112, and acondenser lens 114.

Referring to FIG. 6, and as discussed above with respect to FIGS. 2 and4, the eye piece 72 can be angular in configuration and rotatable. Inparticular, for example, the eye piece 72 can be operably-connected to arotator or swivel element 124 (e.g., angular swivel element) which isthreadingly-engaged to the upper end 68 of the first housing 76 atthreaded portion 100. The rotatable nature of the eye piece 72 canenable a user of the microscope to rotate, swivel, or reposition the eyepiece 72 to any desired position or orientation prior to, or during, useof the microscope. Directional arrows are included in the figure toindicate the rotatable nature of the eye piece 72 in this embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, and as discussed above with respect to FIGS. 2 and4, the upper end 68 of the detachable portion 64 can beoperably-connected to an adapter that connects to a still image or videocamera 140, thereby allowing photos or videos of the specimen to betaken. In this regard, for example, the adaptor can comprise a series ofring attachments comprising, for example, a filter 126 and a lens shade128. Moreover, as discussed above with respect to FIGS. 2 and 4, thedetachable portion can comprise two or more adaptors for attachment oftwo or more eye pieces to the detachable portion. In particular, forexample, the detachable portion can comprise an adaptor for attachmentof a still image or video camera, in addition to an adaptor forattachment of a direct, in-line eye piece or an angular (e.g., angularswiveling) eye piece, so that, for example, a user can position aspecimen and focus on it, and then capture an image of the specimen onfilm, without having to first substitute the eye piece for a camera. Inone embodiment, for example, a single threaded, Y-shaped adaptor that isconnected or attached to the upper end 68 of the detachable portion 64and which comprises a first portal for attachment of a direct, in-lineor angular eye piece, and a second portal for attachment of a stillimage or video camera.

It can thus be seen that a new and useful portable fluorescencemicroscope with a detachable portion has been provided. Althoughembodiments of the present invention have been described in detailabove, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of thisinvention. For example, the portable fluorescence microscope describedherein could be implemented as an inverted microscope. The microscopecould also be provided with phase contrast capability. Accordingly, allsuch modifications are intended to be included within the scope of thisinvention.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended toserve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separatevalue falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, andeach separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, isintended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose alimitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. Nolanguage in the specification should be construed as indicating anynon-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Itshould be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplaryonly, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.

1. A portable microscope, comprising: a detachable portion comprising aneye piece, an objective lens, a light source, and an optical filter; anda base portion comprising a stage for placement of a specimen to beexamined; wherein the detachable portion and the base portion areadapted to be connected to each other and disconnected from each otherby a user of the microscope.
 2. The microscope of claim 1, wherein thedetachable portion further comprises a mounting member, wherein the baseportion further comprises an attachment member, and wherein the mountingmember and the attachment member collectively form a connection betweenthe detachable portion and the base portion that is engagable anddisengageable by a user such that a connection between the detachableportion and the base portion exists or does not exist, respectively. 3.The microscope of claim 1, wherein the eye piece is removable from thedetachable portion.
 4. The microscope of claim 1, wherein the eye pieceis rotatable.
 5. The microscope of claim 1, wherein the eye piece isconnectable to a still image or video camera.
 6. The microscope of claim1, wherein the detachable portion further comprises an adaptorcomprising a first portal for attaching the eye piece and a secondportal for attaching a still image or video camera.
 7. The microscope ofclaim 1, wherein the objective lens is removable from the detachableportion.
 8. The microscope of claim 1, wherein the light source is anultraviolet light source.
 9. The microscope of claim 1, wherein thelight source is removable from the detachable portion.
 10. Themicroscope of claim 1, wherein the optical filter is selected from thegroup consisting of a filter cube, a filter wheel, and a slidercomponent.
 11. A portable microscope comprising: a detachable portioncomprising a generally tubular first housing having a top end and abottom end, an eye piece disposed at the top end, an objective lensdisposed at the bottom end, a light unit attached to the generallytubular first housing for providing a light source to the microscope,and an optical filter disposed between the objective lens and the lightunit; and a base portion comprising a stage for placement of a specimento be examined, wherein the detachable portion and the base portion areadapted to be connected to each other and disconnected from each otherby a user of the microscope.
 12. The microscope of claim 11, wherein theeye piece is removable from the detachable portion.
 13. The microscopeof claim 11, wherein the eye piece is rotatable.
 14. The microscope ofclaim 11, wherein the eye piece is connectable to a still image or videocamera.
 15. The microscope of claim 11, wherein the objective lens issituated within a generally tubular second housing that is coupled toinner surface of the generally tubular first housing at the bottom end.16. The microscope of claim 11, wherein the objective lens is removablefrom the detachable portion.
 17. The microscope of claim 11, wherein thelight source is ultraviolet light.
 18. The microscope of claim 11,wherein the optical filter is selected from the group consisting of afilter cube, a filter wheel, and a slider component.
 19. The microscopeof claim 18, wherein the optical filter is situated within a generallytubular third housing that is coupled to the inner surface of thegenerally tubular first housing.
 20. The microscope of claim 18, whereinthe optical filter is removable from the detachable portion.